Opinion

Editor: The following opinion piece is based upon a personal story that I wish to offer for publication as I am soon to be an alumnus of Sonoma State University (SSU).

Hello Class of 2019 readers! Have any of you ever felt ready for a change, but you did not know what that looked like? So have I. Before transferring to SSU in Fall of 2017, I was unsure about my purpose in life. I had completed ten years of study at Santa Barbara City College. Yet, something still was missing. It was a one unit Women’s Gender Studies lecture series course here at SSU that shifted my sense of purpose.

As graduates, we have survived many semesters at SSU. And by survived I mean, it was not easy to get here today. And yet, here we are. Regardless of whether you came here as a transfer student, like myself, or entered as a freshman, we can all agree we are not the same people we were when we started our journey at SSU. Today, I choose to share my story of a shift of being that I experienced as a result of accepting a challenge. This required me to become vulnerable in unfamiliar territory.

Spring 2019 semester I was excited to be enrolled in Dr. McQuade’s Foundation of Feminist Thought, because I knew that this course was where all of my previous course work would come to fruition. I shared this excitement with my professor and unofficial academic advisor, Suzel Bozada-Deas, that Iwas the only white heterosexual male enrolled in this class. Suzel acknowledged my excitement and issued a challenge. She said: “You are not allowed to speak in class unless specifically invited to by classmates or Dr. McQuade.” Wow, how am I supposed to participate in class, I thought.

My trust for Suzel’s command stemmed from past experiences where I had allowed myself to become vulnerable by playing two different female characters, two consecutive times, first as the student, and second as the teacher assistant during her Gender, Race, and Class course, where she employs a roll playing simulation game circa 1913 Greenwich Village.

So, I accepted Suzel’s challenge thinking to myself, “Whatever you say goes Suzel.” I expressed to her how deeply I wished to understand the oppressive gender-isms that are the result of a patriarchal society, which for many societal members consist of a day to day survival routine, as opposed to my alike members, white heterosexual males, who employ their privileges without a second thought.

Then, Suzel hit me with: “Matthew, you will never fully understand what it feels like to be oppressed within a gender-ism. And if you say you do, I won’t believe you.” Suzel’s communication was simple: As long as I was living an advantaged life of a heteronormative way of being, that is employing my privileges that are most often than not, taken for granted, I am like an alcoholic––always in recovery.

My way of thinking began to transform. This process hurts. Then to be told by Suzel that for reasons beyond my control, that is living within a patriarchal society, my way of being will never fully transform. That hurt even more.

And so, with high stakes, I sat through 14 weeks of engaging in a new way of being. I surrendered my voice, and silently listened until invited to speak. Prior to this challenge, I meant well and had constructive thoughts to contribute in discussion; however, I tended to dominate conversations. I was unaware of the physical space that I occupied with my stuff like my hiking backpack, all of my books, and my oversized binder. Most importantly though, during the conversations where I remained silent, I was uncomfortable and saddened to hear students’ personal stories who’ve experienced some form of ism and oppression. I so very much wanted to verbalize my thoughts or use touch in one’s personal space to offer support and empathize. Yet, I could not obtain affirmative consent for physical touch as it requires verbal communication. So, I was left sitting silent with moments of sadness and flowing tears. This enrolling challenge had me in communication with myself. Me, myself, and I were all we had. And bonding us together was my femininitythat I cherish to this day.

At the story’s end, Suzel’s challenge and the Foundation of Feminist thought course, were the catalysts for my transformation. I found my life’s sense of purpose! And, that’s what is in it for you males out there who have not accepted such a challenge and are open to one if the moment strikes. It is the most rewarding thing one can ask for. Now, having undergone a new way of being, when I am invited to speak in class or on my own outside of higher education, my tone of voice, inflection, and overall proximity is consciously present during conversations.

I invite white heterosexual men to consider why, and how we can transform patriarchy to an ideal construct where all human beings have a shared inalienable right—to be boundless by race, class, and/or gender. This process to get there is transformation. And, my continual contribution, all started by accepting an invitation to a challenge, which tested my ability to be vulnerable, and go against any societal construction where men and masculinity had indoctrinated me to think my femininity is of little or of no use in society.

With that said, a sincere congratulations to Class of 2019, and I wish you all to find your story, and see that transformation of your inner-being in the future.

And to the white heterosexual male faculty and staff, families and friends and most importantly Class of 2019, I invite you to radically:

Enroll yourself within a challenge,

Communicate with yourself and others,

And Transform Yourself,

So we may all work toward a humanitarian vision where:

Race, Class, and Gender know NO boundaries!

Thank you all.

Respectfully,

Matthew Phelps Poulin

Matthew Phelps Poulin graduates with a BA in Communication and Media Studies, and a minor in Women’s Gender Studies. He has dedicated three semesters of enrollment within KSUN Radio, and served his senior year as sonomastateradio.com’s Production Director. Poulin graduates with department distinction. He uses FeministIntersectionalityas a lens to transform solutions in team environments increasing productivity among community members.

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Culture is defined by the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular group. This country is built (amongst other things that are atrocious) on culture. Each culture brings something new to the table whether it be food, clothing, music, poetry, and even education and medicine. With different cultures surrounding us every day, it’s perfectly okay every once in a while to stop and embrace the communities that thrive in their culture, but embracing can turn into appropriation.

Social media consists of different websites and applications that can be used to interact and share information with other users. Despite the fact that it has widely progressed over the years, some may say that these apps create and spread negativity to those in society. Cyberbullying, body shaming, and unrealistic standards have become an issue for teens and adults. 43% of kids have admitted to being cyberbullied, with 1 in 4 students stating that it has happened more than once, according to the website Do Something.

With a simple Google search of “Britney’s breakdown,” around 65,000 videos and articles come up all about Britney Spears’ ups and downs in life. Spears has been through it all from the birth of her two sons to her two divorces, in addition to her popularity ever since she was a child to her superstar status she remains to have today. To any normal person, one divorce would be very difficult to deal with, but with her fame, the show must go on.

So it’s your daughter’s 13th birthday and all she’s been asking for is to get her ears pierced. As a parent, you knew this day was coming and now you’re faced with a decision.Parents might find it easier to take their children to Claire’s where their child can hold a teddy bear during the piercing instead of going to a tattoo parlor. While a gun may look a lot less scary to a 13-year-old, the needle will save you from many chances of infection and is actually a lot less painful.

There’s a saying: big girls need love too. Well, that includes love from the fashion industry. It’s 2019 after all, and still, many stores still refuse to put plus-size sections in their establishments. What’s even worse: some will have people pay more just for wearing plus size clothing. The average size of a woman is a size 16 according to Today, which is considered plus size on the U.S. sizing chart. Women 12 and up have difficulty finding clothes that fit them in most if not all fashion stores, and what’s worse, is that the prices are actually higher for plus size people. Why the discrimination against bigger bodies?

A recent article by time.com has announced a new weight loss pill. As if we don’t have enough of those already. The article states that the FDA has recently approved the new weight management pill that is to be used by overweight or obese adults with a BMI of at least 25.

With the recent airing of Hulu’s “The Act,” a murder case from 2015 has resurfaced and has many people highly interested in the complex details surrounding the intentions behind the convicted killers. The television show, which is an anthology series based on real events, premiered on March 20th of this year.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is used as a pain reliever for those who are suffering from extreme cancer pain, yet the effects behind this illicit drug have become deadly. Musicians such as the legendary Prince and rappers Mac Miller and Lil Peep are among the celebrities who have fallen victim to this hidden drug. Although this drug has affected the lives of the rich and famous, it also has a devastating impact on those who may not be aware of its potency.

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“Us” written by the new king of suspense, Jordan Peele, is a chilling story about a family embarking on a dark journey to Santa Cruz as unexplainable situations start to arise upon their arrival to the boardwalk. There are many theories about the overall meaning to the movie, but could the underlying message be a warning to the United States to take care of our homeless hunger crisis?